Which ānumodanā gāthā chanted during alms-round/piṇḍapata?

Q & A
1

Hi everyone! I’ve seen a video of a monk chanting what seemed to be ānumodaṇā gāthā right after receiving alms from a lay person. I didn’t know that there are monks who chant ānumodanā gāthā during alms rounds.

Which ānumodanā gāthā that are usually chanted? And how brief can they be, assuming they are in a hurry to collect alms from other households? Would there be water-pouring/libation?

1 Like
2

There are certainly differences among the various Buddhist countries and even their national regions. Some monks keep silent altogether. In Thailand, it is commonplace routine to chant the following Pāḷi gāthā directly after having received items on alms round while the donors pour the dakkhiṇodaka (oblation water) into some receptacle (sometimes even into a mere plastic cup if nothing more ceremonial is at hand):

Pāḷi:

abhivādanasīlissa
niccaṁ vuḍḍhāpacāyino
cattāro dhammā vaḍḍhanti
āyu vaṇṇo sukhaṁ balaṁ.

Translation:

For the one who is of devout character,
Who constantly honors the elders,
Four things [will] increase,
Duration of life, beauty, happiness, and strength.

Parsing:

  • abhivādanasīlissa: “for the one of devout character” – m. adj. dat. sg. compound used
    substantively.
  • niccaṁ: “constantly”– neutr. adj. used adverbially.
  • vuḍḍhāpacāyino: “for the one who honors the elders” [vuḍḍhā + apacāyino] – m. adj. dat. sg.
    compound used substantively.
  • cattāro: “four” – m. adj. cardinal num. nom. pl. in agreement with dhammā.
  • dhammā: “things”, “qualities” – m. n. nom. pl.
  • vaḍḍhanti: “increase” – vb. pres. ind. third pers. act. pl. with fut. indication.
  • āyu: “longevity”, “duration of life” – neutr. n. nom. sg.
  • vaṇṇo: “looks”, “appearance”, “beauty” – m. n. nom. sg.
  • sukhaṁ: “happiness,” “pleasantness”, “pleasure” – neutr. n. nom. sg.
  • balaṁ: “strength” – neutr. n. nom. sg.

See this video for a performance (from 00:28 onward).

3 Likes
3

Thank you for the detailed answer, Anāgārika Bhante Ṭhānuttamo :pray: (as well as the video!)

1 Like
4

You’re welcome, Calvin, but now bhikkhu again. :slight_smile:

3 Likes
5

*Bhante Ṭhānuttamo :pray::bowing_man: (Sādhu, Bhante!:raised_hands:)